Chapter Twenty: The Ginseng Consultation Fee

For Gu Xiu-jin, who had already accepted the fact that he would die young, the ability of Xie Qingtang to ease his pain and stabilize his illness was an unexpected blessing.

“Thank you, Xie Qingtang. If you ever need my help in the future, as long as it’s within my power, I will assist you.” Gu Xiu-jin made a solemn promise, something rare for him.

Xie Qingtang’s eyes lit up instantly, and she exclaimed in delight, “Are you serious, Mr. Gu? No backing out!”

“When I, Gu Xiu-jin, give my word, I never go back on it.” Gu Xiu-jin nodded firmly, thanked Xie Qingtang, and left the Benevolence Hall.

Watching his departing figure, Xie Qingtang said contentedly, “Gu Xiu-jin is a reliable pillar. If I want his continued support, I must take good care of his health.”

Only after descending the mountain did Xie Qingtang realize how vast the gap was between her strength and that of Shao Siming. To seek revenge, she would need Gu Xiu-jin’s help. For this reason, she was determined to nurse him back to health.

At that moment, Zhou Jinfan, who had been lying on the floor, let out a series of groans, drawing Xie Qingtang’s attention. Deciding he had learned his lesson, she pulled out the silver needle from his Tianma acupoint.

“Have you memorized where the Tianma acupoint is?” Xie Qingtang asked with a smiling face. Zhou Jinfan dared not refuse, nodding as vigorously as his numb body would allow.

Seeing his earnest effort, Xie Qingtang nodded and instructed him to close the doors of Benevolence Hall. Today, aside from that so-called possessed patient, there had been no other visitors.

After closing the doors, Xie Qingtang made a list, preparing to buy some herbs the next day. Zhou Jinfan, standing nearby, pouted and said, “Boss, we only earned twenty yuan today. Where are we supposed to get money for the herbs?”

“I may not have money, but you do.” Xie Qingtang tossed the list onto Zhou Jinfan and continued, “Come with me tomorrow afternoon to purchase the medicinal materials.”

Zhou Jinfan’s face turned bitter. Not only had he given away Benevolence Hall’s services for free, he now had to pay out of pocket. It was truly miserable.

The next morning, in the courtyard behind Benevolence Hall, Xie Qingtang took out her silver needles and, with a solemn expression, began treating her grandfather. An hour later, sweat had soaked her clothes, and only then did she stop.

At that moment, her grandfather sat motionless, staring blankly ahead, showing no response. Ever since the day at the sanatorium when he had uttered “Tang Tang” upon seeing her, he had not spoken another word.

“Grandpa, don’t worry. I will make Shao Siming pay for his cruelty and heal your illness. Now that I’m home, I won’t let you suffer anymore.” Xie Qingtang’s heart ached as she held his withered hands.

Zhou Jinfan, arriving in the courtyard, saw the scene and his face was touched with sympathy. He stood quietly, not disturbing Xie Qingtang.

In fact, Xie Qingtang had sensed his arrival the moment he entered, but instead of speaking, she continued to massage her grandfather’s meridians. Only after finishing did she rise.

“Boss, someone’s looking for you outside,” Zhou Jinfan said. Xie Qingtang nodded, washed her face, changed into her customary blue robe, and left the courtyard.

To her surprise, the visitor was none other than the man possessed the day before. With gratitude in his eyes, he said, “Divine healer, I’ve come to pay the consultation fee.”

“I told you yesterday, I’ve already received my fee,” Xie Qingtang replied, a bit surprised. But the man insisted on handing her a cloth bundle.

He explained, “Yesterday my mother told me everything. How could twenty yuan be enough? I know you heal with compassion and don’t care for worldly things, but I have something that’s better kept in your hands than mine.”

Before Xie Qingtang could refuse, the man turned and hurried out of Benevolence Hall, as if afraid she might not accept it.

Looking at the cloth bundle forced into her arms, Xie Qingtang smiled helplessly, but she opened it nonetheless. The sight inside stunned her.

“Well, this ginseng is quite something,” Zhou Jinfan remarked from behind, instantly recognizing the aged ginseng in the bundle.

Xie Qingtang hadn’t expected the seemingly poor man to give her a valuable ginseng, and she was deeply moved.

“I believe this ginseng must have been taken from a forbidden area at great risk. Who would have thought he’d give it to me so freely?” Xie Qingtang said, carefully wrapping the ginseng again.

Zhou Jinfan’s eyes gleamed. “This ginseng is clearly very old. Selling it would fetch a handsome price.”

Seeing the greed in his eyes, Xie Qingtang grew stern. “Zhou Jinfan, don’t even think about it. I’m keeping this ginseng to detoxify and nurse my grandfather.”

“But if we sell it, we’ll have money to buy more medicine. Otherwise, how will we afford the herbs?” Zhou Jinfan protested when he heard she wasn’t planning to sell it but use it herself.

Xie Qingtang sneered, placed the ginseng in a drawer, and said slowly, “Didn’t we agree yesterday? You’ll pay for the herbs. The money you made selling fake medicine hurt many people. Now you’ll use it to buy herbs and save lives—consider it making amends. Don’t be ungrateful.”

“But if I use my money for the herbs, Benevolence Hall isn’t even mine anymore. Isn’t that a loss?” Zhou Jinfan grumbled, calculating his losses in his head.

For years, his mediocre medical skills had forced him to keep Benevolence Hall afloat with harmless fake remedies. It hadn’t been easy. The thought of handing over his money made him even more reluctant.

Xie Qingtang spoke a single sentence that made Zhou Jinfan surrender: “Do you not want to learn medicine anymore?”